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FOOD ADULTERATION. 81
Food Preservatives.—In four samples of sausages preservatives were found, viz.: 3 with
boric preparations (in amounts equivalent to 11.9, 13 and 10.8 grains of boric acid per lb.)
and one with sulphites (amount " too small to estimate "). The samples were purchased—3
from retail firms and 1 from a wholesale firm supplying the local trade during October, at a
time when preservatives might be held to be unnecessary.
When the cases were reported to the Committee, an appeal to the High Court was
pending against the decision given by Mr. Wallace, K.C., at the Newington Sessions in June
of last year, in the case of Hayward v. Westminster City Council. In that case a conviction
for selling sausages containing 21 grains of boric acid per lb. was upheld, although the learned
Chairman expressed the view that that amount of boric acid would not be injurious to health.
The judgment was based on " prejudice to the purchaser" (Section 6). The Committee
thought it undesirable to institute proceedings until after the appeal had been heard, and the
vendors of the samples were cautioned. The appeal was ultimately dismissed, with costs.
During October six samples of cream were purchased, which contained boron preservatives
in the following amounts (expressed as boric acid).—
No. 65. Cream, "14 per cent, boric acid No. 68. Cream, .26 per cent, boric acid
No. 66. „ .08 „ „ No. 69 „ .22
No. 67. „ .04 „ „ No. 71 „ .05 „
The following is an extract from the report, in which the results of the analysis were laid
before the Committee :—
Cream.—Under date 11th August last, a report to the Local Government Board by
Dr. J. M. Hamill, on the Use of Preservatives in Cream (Food Reports No. 10) was issued. In
that Report, page 19, it is recommended that the Local Government Board should consider the
question of issuing Regulations dealing with the use of boric acid in cream. One of the
proposed Regulations would limit the amount of preservative to be used at the equivalent of
0.4 per cent. of boric acid from May to October, inclusive, and 0.25 per cent. during the
remaining months of the year. It is fuither recommended (a) that cream containing the above
limits of preservatives should contain at least 40 per cent. of milk fat ; and (b) that
there should be a declaration of the preservative to the purchaser.
It will be noted that Sample No. 68, containing 0'26 per cent, of boric acid, is the onlv one
in excess of the amount suggested in Dr. Hamill's Report (0'25 per cent.) for the present
period of the year. In no case, however, was any declaration made, and in one case
(Sample No. 71, containing *05 per cent, of boric acid) the vendor informed the Inspector the
cream had been purchased from a wholesale firm under warranty that it was free from
preservative.
In the course of the Report, it is recommended that there should be a differentiation
between what may be called " preserved " (" jugged ") cream and the ordinary (" draught ")
cream.
It appears to me to be desirable that a circular letter should be issued to traders in
the Borough, informing them that prosecutions will be taken wherever the amount of
preservative exceeds the amounts suggested in the Report referred to; and, further
requiring proper declaration as to the use of preservative—such declaration, I think, should
state the amount of preservative which has been used.
On the instruction of the Committee, the following circular letter was issued (dated
23rd December):—
I am instructed to inform you that the Public Health Committee of this Borough have